[tjnewbee15]

a freind is trying to talk me into shackel lift instead of a 4inch suspension lift. what are the pros and cons either way? i hope to be running 33inch tires

[Goobersbro]

I wouldnt recomend more than a 1" lift shackle but the more important question here is whats the purpose what tire size do you plan on running

[pickell91]

i put a two inch shackel lift on my YJ and it is holding up but if i were you i would go with the suspension lift. if your planning on doing any wheeling then go with suspension, its hard to climb rocks becuase the shackles stick down so far, and its a slight bumpier ride. if you are not gonna wheel then you can get it if you want to move up tire sizes, but having those over sized shackels in the front slow me down. if you do end up going with the scackle lift, i reccomend getting some spacers for your tires, it helps with the control factor when your driving down the road. hope this helps!

[Louie4]

What do you want to do with your jeep? Do you want to take it on trails and go wheeling? If you want to do that you need to go with the suspension lift. The only time (that I think) you will need longer shackles is for a suspension lift so your springs can stretch a little further (I recommend boomerangs, I like mine). But if you want to do something a little cheaper just to fit a bigger tire under there I would go with a 1" body lift and a slightly longer shackle no more than what Goobersbro said.

[pickell91]

and in most states you have to watch out, the max shackle length in michigan is 4 inches... mine are about 8 but i would not be mad if i got a ticket for too big of a lift

[shrewd]

The previous owner put on a shackle lift and I hated it. I hit every rock on the trail, and it felt unstable. Do it right the first time.

[SteveJcoYJ]

actually the shackle, weather 10" long or stock, the part the leaf goes into is still in the same spot in respect to approach/ ground clearance.

shackles push the frame up, they don't extend your leafs or stick out further, thats literally impossible.

a user on here before had made a big post about that, i searched but couldn't find it

however, a real suspension lift ( longer leafs, drop brackets, blah, blah) will provide more articulation, smoother ride on and off the road, and less stress on spring eyes over a shackle. With keeping stock size shackles you also keep the same amount of lateral support from your leaf springs, the main reason shackles are a draw back on road.

[Goobersbro]

Originally Posted by SteveJcoYJ

actually the shackle, weather 10" long or stock, the part the leaf goes into is still in the same spot in respect to approach/ ground clearance.

shackles push the frame up, they don't extend your leafs or stick out further, thats literally impossible.

a user on here before had made a big post about that, i searched but couldn't find it

however, a real suspension lift ( longer leafs, drop brackets, blah, blah) will provide more articulation, smoother ride on and off the road, and less stress on spring eyes over a shackle. With keeping stock size shackles you also keep the same amount of lateral support from your leaf springs, the main reason shackles are a draw back on road.

I was the one that put a post about that or atleast I was one of them I explained how when you lift the jeep up with shackles you lift the frame not push the leaf down but someone said it does push it down somewhat something I still dont believe but whatever

But it doest hurt other things such as your caster angle and the longer the shackle the more likely you are to brake a frame mount because there is more leverage


I think Joe Dillard could really explain these he seems super smart when it comes to these jeeps and he might be able to explain if the shackle does hurty your aproach angle how it does or if were right and it doesnt at all


As for me I was at 4 inches of lift I put 1/2" lift shackles on and I am now at 4.5 inches my leafs never went down the leaf eye is still the same height it ever was. I think its a mental thing personally

[SteveJcoYJ]

Originally Posted by Goobersbro

I was the one that put a post about that or atleast I was one of them I explained how when you lift the jeep up dont push the leaf down but someone said it does push it down somewhat something I still dont believe but whatever

But it doest hurt other things such as your caster angle and the longer the shackle the more likely you are to brake a frame mount because there is more leverage

yeah

the thing is though if they pushed the spring forward it would decrease lift so you wouldn't have the gain promised, and in all ( i've seen) cases you get the specified height

overtime though its more strain, leafs will flatten quicker

[Goobersbro]

Originally Posted by SteveJcoYJ

yeah

overtime though its more strain, leafs will flatten quicker

yea but even that can be debated because some people say that with a big arched spring bigger shackles actaully help it move more how it was suppose to so i dont know

[SteveJcoYJ]

Originally Posted by Goobersbro

yea but even that can be debated because some people say that with a big arched spring bigger shackles actaully help it move more how it was suppose to so i dont know

maybe, we need a forum expert to shed some light in this thread

[Goobersbro]

Originally Posted by SteveJcoYJ

maybe, we need a forum expert to shed some light in this thread

thats why I said joe could really help us out on this one

[SteveJcoYJ]

Originally Posted by Goobersbro

thats why I said joe could really help us out on this one

i was thinking the dillard as well